This website has reported on developments of cargo trams in various cities across Europe. Geographically, this may seem rather off-topic for a Zürich-focussed website. However, I feel this is justified and of interest in view of Zürich's status as a cargo tram pioneer and the coverage this webiste has given the topic (and my own interest in this particular aspect of tram operation in general).

Amsterdam's cargo tram will commence commercial operations in 2008, transporting goods to and from businesses within the city. The payload will be transferred from lorries to trams at distribution centres on the town's edge. The trams will serve smaller distribution centres within the city from where door-to-door distribution will be assured by electric cars. Restrictions on lorry access will provide incentive to use the system.

This February, a test phase starts in which two modified GVB trams will connect Osdorp to central Amsterdam. During the first two weeks these will run without load in order to evaluate their influence on the stability of passenger tram operations. After this loads will be transported.